It wasn?t disappointment, but it wasn?t satisfaction either. That is how University of Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen described his feelings after the Terps? season-opening 27-14 victory over visiting William & Mary Saturday.
The game was a solid victory for Maryland, but the Terps? first performance of 2006 shed some light on where the team?s strengths and weaknesses lie.
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Friedgen joked after that game, saying that his “so-so” play-calling in his dual role as the team?s offensive coordinator was enough to get the win, but it was clear that he knew where he wanted Maryland to improve. The Terps suffered two turnovers, one of which resulted in a William & Mary scoring drive.
“We have got to stop the turnovers,” Friedgen said. “I felt our running backs ran hard and our line blocked well, but I thought we kind of let up at the end.”
Junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson saw the defense let up towards the end of the game.
“Last year, we had a problem finishing into the fourth quarter,” he said. “This year, something we set out to do is finish the game.”
Jefferson chalked it up to inexperience since Friedgen inserted some younger players towards the end of the game.
“They didn?t know what the game was about,” Jefferson said. “They didn?t have the experience. This game was a learning experience for them.”
Still, the victory gives Maryland momentum as it heads into this Saturday?s game against Middle Tennessee State.
“A win is a win,” Jefferson said. “You get it regardless of who you play. What is in the paper? Who wins and who loses.”
Sam Hollenbach was the first returning starting quarterback for Maryland since 2003. He said he felt good on the field before being replaced by backup Jordan Steffy, and that the more the team plays together the better it will get, especially his young group of wide receivers.
“The offensive line and running backs did all the work,” Hollenbach said. “We have got a stable [of four running backs] back there. Any one of those guys can come in and run the ball.”
“Tonight was the first time we tried it out, and it worked out,” said junior tailback Keon Lattimore, who acknowledged there is still room for improvement.
“I feel we played OK,” Lattimore said, “but we are definitely capable of playing much better.
“We made a lot of mistakes, but we have a young team. I feel good about this team.”
Tackling the terps
» The Terps? defense held William & Mary to 84 yards on the ground but allowed the Tribe 226 yards in the air.
» Sam Hollenbach did not pass for a touchdown, but he was 9 for 15 for 153 yards.
» Keon Lattimore rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown, including a career-long rush for 34 yards. Lance Ball rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
